Victims recount ordeal, Police arrest suspects , Obiano assures security, NAUTH transfer 6 to Accident unit, 22 still on admission as Etiaba weeps

www.odogwublog.com reports that Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi said it has transferred six (6) victims of last Sunday attack on a Roman Catholic Church, St Philip’s at Umuezekwe Ofufe Amakwa Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Anambra State  to Oba , Idemmili South Emergency and Accident unit sequel to fractures they sustained.

The Chief Medical Director , NAUTH , Prof  Anthony Igwegbe could not be reached but  a nurse who was not authorized to speak to the press said Twenty others were still admitted at NAUTH while some have been discharged.

This is coming as unconfirmed police report stated that the Anambra state police have arrested some suspects involved in the terror act at Ozubulu.
Odogwu Media Group calls and watsap to the police command for confirmation was not honoured as at press time.  Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Garba Umar and his PPRO ASP Nwode Nkiruka did not respond as at press time.
Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, did a broadcast today assuring the citizenry hat the killers would be caught and punished. He re-echoed that the police had made some arrests but could not give details even as he maintained his stand that the shooting was necessitated by a fight between two brothers in South Africa which was brought home against the stand of the community and local government that it was a terror attack. He assured citizenry Anambra would maintain its stand as the safest state in Nigeria, adding that the perpetrators would be arrested and punished. 
As well the Catholic bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor has condoled with Nnewi Catholic Diocese and his counterpart, Bishop Hilary Odili Okeke, over what he termed senseless killing of innocent worshippers at St. Philips' Catholic Church Umuezekwe Ofufe, Amakwa, Ozubulu, in Ekwusigo council Area of the State.
Bishop Ezeokafor described the incident as unfortunate and regrettable and wondered why people derived so much joy in taking lives.
He called on the security agencies to unravel the mystery behind the incident and bring to book the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
Catechist of the parish, Mr. Calistus Ikeanumba, who was amongst the lucky survivors while thanking God for safeguarding his life and that of some other parishioners said he only heard the thunderous sound and hid in the sacristy.

As well , another survivor, Mr. Stephen Ohamadike, informed he was saying the second prayer of the faithful, when the shooting sporadically started. He informed that he laid low in between two chairs which saved his life.
On his part, Mr. Joel Obunadike, who lost his uncle and a brother's wife to the shootings, said the pain was unbearable while some of those who assisted in carrying the dead and injured, Mr. Abuchi Udeaja and Mrs. Nkechi Okeke, said it was horrifying experience and prayed that such would never happen in their community again.

They said a seven month old baby and the mother were among the dead.
Monsignor Hypolite Adigwe, said it is a sacrilege that must be atoned for via rededication, before the church can be used for Masses again.


Meanwhile, the former governor of Anambra state, Dame Virgy Etiaba yesterday wept profusely during her visit to the hospital.

Dame Etiaba described the penetrators of the deadly attack on peaceful worshippers as barbaric and satanic.

She said it is unfortunate that the incident was a blow to the state which has remained peaceful and stable over a long period of time.

The former governor who was at the hospital to encourage the injured urged them not to allow the incident dampen their Christian faith even as she prayed for the repose of souls of the deceased.

She commended the incumbent governor for rushing to scene of the crime and give hope to the victims.

The chairman of Anambra state chapter of NUJ, Comrade Emma Ifesinachi who also visited the hospital along with some of his members condemned the attack on the worshipers.

He said it is unfortunate that the incident was a big blow to the image of the state that has remain the safest state in the nation.

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Chidimma Igbokwe, Odinaka Benedict Ezeoka Awka and Isaac Ojo, Nnewi